Jack Smith defends Trump investigations and Trump backs off Greenland threat

Summary of Jack Smith defends Trump investigations and Trump backs off Greenland threat

by NPR

29m•January 23, 2026
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Overview of Jack Smith defends Trump investigations and Trump backs off Greenland threat

This NPR Politics Podcast episode (recorded Jan 23, 2026) reviews two major threads from the week: former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s public testimony defending the two criminal investigations he brought against Donald Trump, and President Trump’s abrupt de-escalation of a threatened move on Greenland (announcing instead a “framework” after Davos). Hosts break down what Smith said, Republican and Trump reactions, the international fallout over Greenland and a new “Board of Peace,” and the domestic political context. The show ends with lighter “Can’t Let It Go” cultural items.

Jack Smith testimony — what he said and why it matters

  • Context

    • Smith led two probes into Trump that never went to trial before Trump returned to the White House in 2024: (1) classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, and (2) efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 riot.
    • Much of Smith’s report and evidence — especially on the classified-docs matter — remains sealed by a judge in Florida (Judge Eileen Cannon), limiting public detail.

  • Key elements of Smith’s Hill testimony

    • Tone: calm, controlled, non-partisan; he denied partisanship and was understated in demeanor.
    • Defense of prosecutions: said he believed the DOJ would have secured convictions beyond a reasonable doubt had the cases gone to trial.
    • Witnesses: said many of his strongest witnesses in the election-interference case would have been Republicans who supported Trump (e.g., Mike Pence, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, some members of Congress, and alternate electors).
    • On pardons and rule of law: criticized mass pardons for Jan. 6 rioters who attacked police; warned against taking the rule of law for granted.
    • Personal consequences: expected to be targeted by retribution (including possible prosecution) but said he would not be intimidated.

  • Immediate fallout

    • Trump’s public response: posted on Truth Social calling Smith “deranged,” said Smith should be prosecuted (accusing him of perjury), and suggested the attorney general should be watching.
    • Administrative retaliation: Trump revoked security clearances for some lawyers who represented Smith.
    • Political framing: House Republicans sought to paint Smith as partisan; the hearing’s tone and his testimony undercut that portrayal for many viewers.

Trump, Greenland and the international fallout

  • What happened

    • Trump publicly threatened action concerning Greenland, triggering alarm among allies and market reactions; after meetings at Davos and with the NATO official named in the episode, he announced a “framework” that effectively stepped back from any immediate coercive move.
    • Details of the framework were vague and evolving at the time of the recording; it appeared to defuse an escalating diplomatic crisis.

  • Why the retreat matters

    • It removed the immediate risk of a U.S. confrontation with an ally and calmed markets (the hosts note the stock market’s movements are a key motivator for Trump).
    • The episode framed the maneuver as a face-saving exit ramp for Trump amid rising international criticism and allied military signaling.

  • Damage and repairability

    • European and allied leaders reacted strongly (some publicly calling it a rupture or threat to international order), and the episode raised questions about long-term trust and cooperation with European partners.
    • The hosts flagged uncertainty about how much of the damage can be repaired and whether U.S.-allied relationships will be altered going forward.

Board of Peace — new body, big controversy

  • What Trump announced

    • At Davos he unveiled a “Board of Peace” charter intended to help oversee a Gaza peace deal; he pitched it as an alternative (even a potential replacement) to the U.N.
    • Countries reportedly involved: Bahrain, Argentina, Azerbaijan, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Pakistan, and others. Invitations were extended to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.

  • Concerns and criticism

    • The charter, as described, would give Trump strong control (veto power, removal powers, agenda control) and allow countries to buy permanent status (reportedly for $1 billion), raising conflicts with U.N. norms.
    • Major Western allies (UK, France, Germany) pushed back or declined involvement; France said the charter raises serious questions vis-à-vis U.N. principles.
    • The plan deepens transatlantic rifts and is seen by critics as consolidating Trump’s influence over an alternative international forum.

Domestic politics: economy, messaging, and midterms

  • Davos domestic messaging

    • The White House tried to pivot Trump to domestic issues (housing, inflation, affordability) as a campaign preface to midterms, but Trump repeatedly veers to foreign-policy theatrics.
    • Hosts note Trump appears heavily influenced by stock-market movements and legacy concerns; he sometimes resists policies (e.g., lowering housing prices) that could hurt perceived wealth.

  • Political implications

    • The episode highlights how partisan alignment around Trump remains strong and resilient, reducing the political consequences of major scandals or foreign-policy controversies for his base.
    • Smith’s testimony and the Greenland episode both feed into narratives that will shape midterm campaigning, messaging, and bipartisan relations.

Can’t Let It Go — cultural notes (lighter items)

  • Trinity Rodman: big NWSL win — the Washington Spirit re-signed star forward Trinity Rodman after the league adopted a high-impact player rule (nicknamed the “Rodman Rule”) to keep her from leaving for Europe. Hosts see this as important for the league’s visibility and growth.
  • Heated Rivalry: a Canadian gay-hockey-romance TV hit (briefly called out as a cultural moment); its stars were chosen as Olympic torchbearers — an example of rapid rise-to-fame in pop culture.
  • Drake vs. Kendrick side note: hosts riff on lingering rap-battle/legal dramas (entertainment as recurring “can’t let it go” content).

Notable quotes

  • Jack Smith: “No one should be above the law in this country and the law required that he be held to account.”
  • Smith on pardons: expressed inability to understand pardoning people who beat up police officers on Jan. 6.
  • Trump (Truth Social posts): called Smith “deranged” and said Smith “should be prosecuted” and “committed large-scale perjury” (per his posts mentioned on the show).

Key takeaways — what to watch next

  • Smith/classified-docs report: attempts to unseal Smith’s report on the Mar‑a‑Lago documents and whether Smith is called back to testify about it — this could reveal more evidence and shape public debate.
  • Possible reprisals or legal moves: Smith anticipated reprisals; watch how the Justice Department and White House handle security-clearing and potential legal threats to Smith and his team.
  • Greenland framework details: monitor clarifying details about the framework, Denmark’s role, and any follow-up diplomatic steps or formal agreements.
  • Board of Peace trajectory: track membership, funding rules, the charter’s text, and whether major allies join or continue to rebuke the initiative.
  • Midterm campaign framing: see whether the White House successfully pivots to domestic economic messaging and whether foreign-policy episodes continue to dominate Trump’s agenda.

Producers/hosts: Ashley Lopez, Kerry Johnson, Domenico Montanaro; guest White House correspondent Franco Ordonez. Recorded Jan. 23, 2026.